Meant To Be by Jennifer Labelle Page B

hadn’t worked in over four years, letting go of her job before Jayden was born. Options were limited, but she needed an income and had to figure out how she could make a living while still being able to be at home with Jayden.
    Another two weeks passed. Jayden was off to school, and Jenna decided to take a leap by going home again. With pulse pounding, heart racing, and hands shaking, she was finally able to breathe again seeing that his car was nowhere in sight. Knowing that she couldn’t avoid Tyler forever, it just seemed easier to cope in the meantime with out of sight, out of mind.
    As she walked in, she felt like she was having a panic attack. She felt hot suddenly, her heart felt like it was ready to leap from her chest, her hands shook, and she was sweating.
    “ Hello,” she called out to ensure it was empty.
    No answer.
    Trying to steady her breathing, she stopped at the stairs and turned toward the nightmare from a few weeks earlier. Now empty, the living room still looked like it had on that day.
    Magazines from the coffee table scattered on the floor. Alex had knocked them over as Tyler threw her off. Closing her eyes when they started to water, a sudden burst of anger mixed with a pure rush of adrenaline consumed her as she charged for the kitchen.
    She had the largest knife that she could find in her hands and made her way back to the living room.
    “ In my house!” she screamed. “On my fucking couch!”
    She stabbed and shredded it while shrieking and crying, finally able to release some of the rage. Jenna backed up, admiring her temporary lapse in sanity. Boy, it felt good. She hated that bitch for what she did, but hated herself more for not being able to hate Tyler just as much.
    She screamed again, letting the knife drop from her hands and realized that she needed the visual out of her sight. That couch represented Tyler’s betrayal and all of the loss that she’d endured. Charging forward, it lifted easily, and she was able to pull it to the curb to be put with the rest of the trash. Thank God for the effects of an adrenaline rush, knowing and not caring that she’d probably be sore later. It felt too good to worry about the stares she’d received from the neighbors or the consequences that may come later. The new renovation was good, making her smile as she re-entered the house. Imagining Tyler’s expression at seeing a destroyed couch on the curb, the smile turned into a laugh. So much for him not knowing she stopped by.
    She was upstairs, filling another suitcase when she realized that she was tired and missed being at home. She sat on the bed, admiring the picture from the night stand. She picked it up, running her fingers lovingly over the image. It was of the three of them at a happier time. Jayden had been around two at the time. They were on the beach, and Jayden sat in front of them with a shovel and pail. Jenna was laughing while wrapped inside Tyler’s arms. Tyler’s face was partially covered with his lips at her throat. He was smirking and looked like a man absolutely infatuated. Looking at it only made her wonder more about what had gone wrong? Was there something lacking in her that caused Tyler to stray?
    Sighing, she threw it in the suitcase. That one was a keeper, a reminder of happier times, and she told herself that she’d pull it out every time the urge to strangle Tyler for what he did came along.
    She jumped at the sound of Tyler’s voice.
    “ I see you’re taking the picture. I look at it every night, a constant reminder of what I’ve done to you, and the way we once were. I’ll never forgive myself for it.”
    He moved passed the doorway, not stopping until he sat beside her on the bed. “Jenna, I’m so sorry,” he whispered, reaching up to touch her but pulled back before he did.
    Too emotional to voice her agreement, she believed that he was sorry. He loved Jayden so much, and she knew that he would have never intentionally hurt him, at least. She leaned